What Is Shift Work Sleep Disorder? (2023)

FAQs

What is shift work sleep disorder? ›

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a sleep disorder that commonly affects those who work non-traditional hours, outside the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work day. Shift work schedules go against most peoples' internal body clocks or circadian rhythms.

ICD-10 code G47. 26 for Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, shift work type is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the nervous system .

People who work night shifts are likely to have shorter sleep duration and/or poorer sleep quality than regular day workers. Long-term exposure to night shift work may elevate the risk of breast cancer. There are also findings pointing to an elevated risk of colorectal cancer.

For diagnosing shift work disorder, you may be asked to undergo your sleep study during the day instead. While you sleep, an EEG will monitor your vital signs and behaviors during non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement stages.

Shift work can lead to a condition known as shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) – a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that affects people who work non-traditional hours e.g. different shifts or work at night. The main challenge of shift work is that it forces you to sleep against the clock.

There's some hope for folks ready to give up the struggle with the overnight shift: insomnia and other sleep problems often associated with those difficult hours may be difficult to shake when it's over, but it's not permanent.

There are criteria of SWSD in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) – Second and Third Editions.

What Is Shift Work Disorder? Shift work disorder is categorized as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. This class of medical conditions is characterized by a misalignment between the body and the circadian rhythms that regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

The average person with shift work disorder loses one to four hours of sleep per night. Excessive sleepiness: Shift work disorder may cause fatigue and reduced alertness while the person is at work during the night or early morning hours. They often feel the need to nap at least once during their shift.

What is the treatment for shift work disorder? ›

Shift work is linked to poorer working memory and slower mental processing speed, according to Austrian researchers, who warned it may heighten the risk of workplace injuries and errors.

Stimulant medications such as Nuvigil and Provigil can relieve sleepiness when people need to be awake. These drugs are approved for the treatment of excessive sleepiness related to shift work disorder, among other conditions. Sleep aids such as Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata may be prescribed to help with falling asleep.

Wakefulness-Promoting Medications

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has approved two wakefulness-promoting agents for treating shift work disorder, modafinil. See Full Reference and armodafinil. See Full Reference . Taken one hour before work, these drugs may help boost alertness during your shift.

Polysomnography, also called a sleep study, is a comprehensive test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Polysomnography records your brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, heart rate and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements during the study.

Summary: Long term shift work is linked to impaired brain power, finds research. The impact (for rotating shift patterns, at least) was stronger after a period of 10 or more years of exposure. And although the effects can be reversed, recovery may take at least five years, the findings suggest.

Our findings indicate that two days off are not sufficient for full recovery, and thus, at least three rest days, one sleeping day (12 hours) and two full days off-duty (48 hours), are needed.

Findings: Shift work and long work hours increase the risk for reduced performance on the job, obesity, injuries, and a wide range of chronic diseases. In addition, fatigue-related errors could harm patients. Fatigued nurses also endanger others during their commute to and from work.

"Researchers have found that shift work is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, ulcers, depression, obesity and high blood pressure, along with sleep problems, such as trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep and excessive sleepiness," he said.

How do you recover from shift work sleep disorder? ›

Since such symptoms as excessive sleepiness and insomnia are considered medical problems, workers with shift work disorder have a valid reason to claim workers' compensation benefits.

If someone is diagnosed with a sleep disorder that affects their ability to work, they may be eligible for disability benefits if their condition cannot be effectively treated. Complaints about being tired or fatigued would not be enough to qualify for disability benefits.

Insomnia DSM-5 Criteria

difficulty initiating sleep. In children, this may manifest as difficulty initiating sleep without caregiver intervention. difficulty maintaining sleep, characterized by frequent awakenings or problems returning to sleep after awakening. Early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep.

A 30 percent rating is awarded when a veteran experiences chronic daytime sleepiness (i.e. hypersomnolence). A 50 percent rating tends to be the most common evaluation assigned as it is consistent with the veteran's use of a CPAP machine.

If someone is diagnosed with a sleep disorder that affects their ability to work, they may be eligible for disability benefits if their condition cannot be effectively treated. Complaints about being tired or fatigued would not be enough to qualify for disability benefits.

Wakefulness-Promoting Medications

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has approved two wakefulness-promoting agents for treating shift work disorder, modafinil. See Full Reference and armodafinil. See Full Reference . Taken one hour before work, these drugs may help boost alertness during your shift.

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (more common) and central sleep apnea, both of which can qualify for SSDI or SSI.

Altered sleep patterns caused by shift work have been linked with irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, and nervousness (45, 46). A prospective study of shift workers found that changes in mental health, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, were modulated by sleep after engaging in shift work for 1 year (47).

How many years does shift work take off your life? ›

Shift work is known to decrease potential lifespan by 10 years. As such, those who opt to do shift work in order to increase their wage-earning capacity, often lose the benefit when they retire.

Melatonin supplements may help you adapt better to a shift work schedule. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the brain's pineal gland and a signal for when your body is supposed to sleep. Research suggests that a small dose is just as effective as higher doses.

Napping before a shift followed by consumption of a caffeinated drink and, if appropriate, scheduled naps at work, may improve ES in patients with SWD. Use of bright light therapy to partially re-entrain the circadian clock should be explored for all night-shift workers-particularly those with SWD.

Conditions treated by Nuvigil and Adderall

It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy and shift work disorder.

Night shift work has also been shown to raise the risks of mental health issues such as nervousness, irritability, and anxiety as consequences of stressful working conditions. Loss of quality sleep has been attributed to the prevalence of these ailments. The brain and body rest and recharge while we sleep.